Always speak directly with the person with Down syndrome
, not the person with them. Give them time to respond. Take their lead on what support they need to communicate. Know that every person with Down syndrome is unique, with their individual personality, strengths and support needs.
What should you not say to someone with Down syndrome?
-
Nothing. ...
-
“You only get given what you can handle.” ...
-
See also: 9 Things Never to Say to a Parent of a Special Needs Child.
-
“He/she is God’s gift.” ...
-
“I could never handle what you handle.” ...
-
See also: 9 Things Never to Say to Working Moms.
-
The “R” word.
What do you say to someone with Down syndrome?
-
“Congratulations.” They just had a baby! ...
-
“He/She looks just like you.” The baby probably does look like someone in the family. ...
-
Tell them what you have learned from the RMDSA website and share the resources you’ve identified.
How do adults with Down syndrome communicate?
Adults with Down syndrome usually do well with
social interactive language
. They use greetings, and scripts (automatic phrases such as hi! And see you later!)
How do you talk to a child with Down syndrome?
-
Look directly at your baby when you talk to him or her. ...
-
Play games like peek-a-boo.
-
Show different objects to your baby. ...
-
Let your baby see himself or herself in the mirror. ...
-
If your child shows interest in an object, person, or event, say the name of the person or object or talk about the event.
What is it like to have a child with Down syndrome?
Path to improved development. In many important ways, children who have Down syndrome are
very much like other children
. They have the same moods and emotions, they like to learn new things, play, and enjoy life. You can help your child develop by providing as many chances as possible for him or her to do these things.
How long does a child with Down syndrome live?
Reality: The average life expectancy for a person with Down syndrome is
nearly 60 years old
. Some people with Down syndrome have lived into their 80s. It is true that people with Down syndrome on average don’t live as long as their typical counterparts.
Do Down syndrome people talk to themselves?
Parents of children and adults with Down syndrome have observed many of them engage in self-talk or ‘private speech
What are the physical needs of a person with Down syndrome?
Children with Down syndrome want to do what all children want to do: they want to
sit, crawl, walk, explore their environment, and interact with the people around them
. To do that, they need to develop their gross motor skills.
Do Down syndrome kids talk to themselves?
Parents of children and adults with Down syndrome have observed many of them engage in self-talk or ‘private speech
How do you calm a child with Down syndrome?
-
Give your child chores around the house. ...
-
Have your child play with other kids who do and don’t have Down syndrome.
-
Keep your expectations high as your child tries and learns new things.
-
Make time to play, read, have fun, and go out together.
-
Support your child in doing day-to-day tasks on their own.
What is the mental age of a person with Down syndrome?
The average IQ of a young adult with Down syndrome is 50, equivalent to the mental ability of
an eight- or nine-year-old child
, but this can vary widely. The parents of the affected individual are usually genetically normal.
How do you work with a child with Down syndrome?
-
First, always speak directly to the student, using clear, receptive language and short sentences.
-
Place a strong emphasis on visual learning when teaching reading to students with Down syndrome. Think visual demonstrations, pictures, and illustrations.
Do Down syndrome babies cry differently?
Just like any baby, infants who have
Down syndrome will sometimes be fussy
. The temperament of a baby with Down syndrome is not usually any different from the temperament of any other baby.
Can a child with Down syndrome look normal?
People with
Down syndrome all look the same
. There are certain physical characteristics that can occur. People with Down syndrome can have all of them or none. A person with Down syndrome will always look more like his or her close family than someone else with the condition.
What are the 3 types of Down syndrome?
The three basic types of Down syndrome are
trisomy 21, translocation, and mosaicism
. All types of Down syndrome result from irregular chromosomes in some or all of the baby’s cells. These irregularities are caused by abnormal cell division, usually in the egg but sometimes in the sperm, before or after conception.
